plate no. 0794
Landscape
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and the valley, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it smoothly towards the horizon.
- step 03
Apply a base coat of light tan/beige to the valley floor.
- step 04
Begin layering in the darker blues and purples on the mountains, focusing on the shadows.
- step 05
Add highlights to the mountains using a lighter beige or yellow.
- step 06
Refine the details of the valley floor, adding subtle variations in color and value.
- step 07
Paint the distant mountains with a lighter, more muted blue to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add the road detail in the valley.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix blues with raw umber and white for the mountain shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the highlights in the valley. Add a touch of burnt sienna to warm up the beige tones.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Not paying attention to the perspective of the mountains and valley.
- →Using too much pure blue without mixing in warmer tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the valley floor.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (small, medium)
- ·flat brushes (medium)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
